The Ming Prince and Daoism

Institutional Patronage of an Elite

Richard G. Wang

One of the only book-length and substantial studies of Ming Daoism in any language.

One of the only book-length studies of the Ming princely institution in any Western language.

One of the first works on the social history of Daoism in Ming China in any language.

The Ming Prince and Daoism

Institutional Patronage of an Elite

Richard G. Wang

Description

Scholars of Daoism in the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) have paid particular attention to the interaction between the court and certain Daoist priests and to the political results of such interaction; the focus has been on either emperors or Daoist masters. Yet in the Ming era, a special group of people patronized Daoism and Daoist establishments: these were the members of the imperial clan, who were enfeoffed as princes. By illuminating the role the Ming princes played in local religion, Richard G. Wang demonstrates in The Ming Prince and Daoism that the princedom served to mediate between official religious policy and the commoners' interests.

In addition to personal belief and self-cultivation, a prince had other reasons to patronize Daoism. As the regional overlords, the Ming princes, like other local elites, saw financing and organizing temple affairs and rituals, patronizing Daoist priests, or collecting and producing Daoist books as a chance to maintain their influence and show off their power. The prosperity of Daoist institutions, which attracted many worshippers, also demonstrated the princes' political success.

Locally, the Ming princes played an important cultural role as well by promoting the development of local religions. This book is the first to explore the interaction between Ming princes as religious patrons and local Daoism. Barred by imperial law from any serious political or military engagement, the Ming princes were ex officio managers of state rituals at the local level, with Daoist priests as key performers. Moreover, institutionally, most regular ceremonies related to a prince's life were mandated to be conducted by Daoist musician-dancers, and that as a result the princely courtly rites were characterized by a Daoist flavor. For this reason the princes became very closely involved in Daoist clerical and liturgical life.

The Ming Prince and Daoism

Institutional Patronage of an Elite

Richard G. Wang

Author Information

Richard G. Wang is Associate Professor of Chinese at the University of Florida.

The Ming Prince and Daoism

Institutional Patronage of an Elite

Richard G. Wang

Reviews and Awards

"Richard Wang's book is a veritable treasure trove....[The] book is essential reading for any historian of Ming China."--Daoism: Religion, History, and Society

"In addition to being an excellent contribution to the social and cultural history of Daoism, this book clearly is a labor of love. Having been underway for some ten years, the underlying historical research is astonishing in its sheer magnitude and meticulousness. Its account of the Ming princely institution in its relation to the Daoism of this seriously understudied period in the history of Chinese religion is exceptional in its approach and truly impressive. Anybody interested in the social history of Daoism will find the reading extremely rewarding, and the book without question will find a permanent place as a reference work on the shelves of scholars in the field of Daoist studies....[A] ground-breaking contribution to the social history of Daoism."--Journal ofChinese Religions

"A work of outstanding erudition... Richard Wang's The Ming Prince and Daoism will probably become required reading for future research on Chinese religion in general." --The Journal of Asian Studies

"An impressively detailed study resulting from over a decade of research...Wang's useful study is chock full of information about the Ming princes and their involvement in Daoism."--Harvard Journal of Asiatic Studies

"Combining expertise in Daoism and enviable mastery of primary sources, Richard Wang has produced the most probing account of Ming imperial princes' patronage of Daoism available in any language today. Exploring the interplay of religious communities, social status, the imperial family, and cultural production, Wang demonstrates the importance of princely houses to urban life on the borders and in the hinterland, places too often neglected in studies of early modern China."--David Robinson, Robert H.N. Ho Professor in Asian Studies and History, Colgate University

"Contrary to a major misunderstanding in current historiography, Daoism lies at the core of Chinese elite culture. Richard G. Wang offers definitive proof of this through an exquisite description of the Ming princes and their Daoist lives of self-cultivation, ritual performances, and aesthetic pursuits. These princes are neglected figures of the Chinese past, but their story illuminates many facets of cultural, social and intellectual history-in a beautiful, Daoist way."--Vincent Goossaert, Deputy Director of Groupe Sociétés-Religions-Laïcités (EPHE-CNRS), France

"This fascinating and timely book addresses a previously unstudied problem: relations between the Daoist church as an institution and the Ming princely establishment. Richard Wang makes significant contributions to both Ming studies and religious studies. His excellent archival research and sophisticated analysis provide exemplary methodology while revealing exciting new materials. The book should reach a wide audience of Sinologists in addition to anyone interested in Chinese history or religion."--Suzanne Cahill, Professor of Chinese History, University of California at San Diego